Question

After years of using the <a> tag I’ve never found an answer to a long-asked question.

To crack down on the stylings of a <a> tag I usually apply four styles:

.element:link{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}
.element:hover{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}
.element:active{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}
.element:visited{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}

Because as most of you probably know, browsers tend to apply a default underline and royal blue colour to links.

When I say What is the bare minimum styling for a element is there a way I don’t have to apply all of these styles? Will the :hover, :active and :visited inherit the :link style? and is it compatible across all browsers?

P.S.

I know that the above is the same as

.element:link, .element:hover, .element:active, .element:visited{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}

So please don’t answer with that (:

Answer 1

The bare minimum is no styling at all — so that the browser will automatically apply its default styles.

The usual default is indeed royal blue for link, red or purple for visited, and nothing in particular for the rest.